Archers thread #185: Some farming would be nice. Discuss The Archers here.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

All views on The Archers welcome here! New blood welcomed, and of course we are always delighted to welcome back former or occasional listeners/posters. We don't all agree on all points, although we do mostly try to be civil about it. Most of us are posting tongue in cheek a lot of the time, so don't worry about revealing that, or other unusual views.

Spoilers: not on this thread, please! We don't wait for the omnibus to discuss the weeknight episodes, but we do try our best to avoid cross-contamination from https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/radio_addicts/4636789-the-archers-spoilers-thread-7-cant-wait-for-702pm-join-us-here, where spoilers are positively welcomed!

For newer listeners, lurkers or those who just have no idea what we're talking about, @DadDadDad has created this useful thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3557323-For-Archers-fans-a-guide-to-acronyms-on-the-long-running-discussion-threads-and-any-other-meta-thread-questions-you-may-have - BOOP point for him! (See thread for explanation.)

Over to you!

Kirsty is another possibility for Dane: she’s not exactly got a good track record when it comes to men.

She was talking about studying a lot to Freddie a few weeks ago, and I thought she would be in the middle of finals just now.

Not only did he not run it while Caroline was alive, when he tried to work there at all during her lifetime it was a disaster.

I think this is probably what happens, especially the weeks by Nick Warburton last year: the Christmas Carol homage, for instance.

And we know that Katie Hims (who wrote the Neil garbage) has mostly been a play-writer. Presumably whoever was in charge at Home Front (would that have been Lucy Collingwood?) did not allow her to have her head and write a completely irrelevant and inaccurate play about an established character in the middle of the series.

That tree is going to injure/hurt someone isn’t it

so Oliver has reservations about Dane but he’s just taken him on as if he’s the only candidate in the country. Lily was so cringe and Dane is very false. That interview was ridiculous. Bit of ageism from Lily too.

amazing how anyone who wants will be a master baker within weeks.

the dating app stuff is a bit yawnsome. Although might be a PSA to men about what not to put on their profile. And why was tash going on a date with someone who liked like he was in 6th form!

martin Gibson wasn’t a surprise - why is it ok for Helen to do online dating but it’s a joke if Martin does

I think the point was not that it was a joke that Martyn Gibson was on a dating app, but that the reason for the laughter was twofold: one, that Helen was so very nervous and idiotic and two, that in TA going on a dating app is always going to lead to hysterical high jinks of some sort. That has been the rule since it was the lonely hearts column of the Borchester Echo and I think it was Marjorie Antrobus or possibly Caroline or even Shula ended up on a date with Joe Grundy, who had described himself for the occasion as "a gentleman farmer" and knocked a decade or two off his age. How we all (didn't) split our sides!

Yes you are no doubt right. It’s lazy

I don't suppose I was alone in shouting "Fuck off, Natasha!" at the radio every time she nebbed in?

I'm listening on catch-up. The dating app storyline isn't funny or interesting.

The Great Dane is vile and I'm so not looking forward to hearing all about Zainab on reception.

No. You're not alone.

That tree is going to injure/hurt someone isn’t it.

It's just a question of who is the most deserving.

I actually meant kill/hurt

hopefully Dane

I've no expertise in site management, but surely if you are concerned about a tree branch you rope off the area underneath until a qualified tree surgeon has had a chance to assess it? But agreed, it's been mentioned enough times that we must conclude that Chekhov himself must have climbed up there and half-sawed through it.

Well, well, well …

Those Bridge nights are going to take on a different tenor when Martin is dating Brian’s niece.

I was quite amused by Natasha's interference in Helen's online dating app. I do hope those two are going to become properly sworn enemies, because the current state of tolerance is really rather dull.

I haven't seen a fish guy on OLD for a couple of years or more - I did meet one at some training today, but he's married and stuff.

I also haven't met anyone I know through work, despite the high number of IT guys I've seen on there (this isn't a complaint, merely a statistical surprise.)

So the chances of Helen actually seeing Martyn Gibson on OLD actually seems quite unlikely, unless they've both set their search criteria to no more than 5 miles. Obviously it's all done for comic effect, but still. OTOH, it's not the most unlikely story line of late.

I'm not laughing at it though.

How old is martyn? I would have thought he would be in a different age bracket to Helen’s criteria.

But you know what - I don’t mind martyn being made a speaking character and being brought in more. Just please get rid of so many random newbies!

the only new characters I don’t mind are the maliks because they have a reason for being there.

I could have felt the same about Dane if they hadn’t written him as a complete nobhead

eta so you think he is actually Dane and hasn’t just stolen the identity of a competent hotel manager?

I like them both (kind, decent men), but only find myself attracted to the idea of Rex (he sounds like my type, is interesting and is the right sort of age)! Lee's action figures and posters gave the impression of not growing up and gave me "the ick" as seasoned MNetters would say...

Natasha must be really bored (thought she was very busy), to be so interested in Helens OLD. Why does Helen let her have her phone? I bet she swiped right on perpose for Martin Gibson. Oh and Ian saying how great it was that Helen was doing it. Mind you I've never been on line to fined a boy friend. In my day (70s) you met someone at the disco. Only rich people went to dating agency's, but like most things these days times have changed.

I thought the dating stuff seemed quite realistic. If you ever mention you’re online dating someone (usually someone in a steady relationship who slightly misremembers how much fun being single is) is always very keen to get involved with swiping/looking through for you.

I’ve decided not to even try to understand Grey Gables, it’s so bananas there that I’m starting to wonder if it’s some kind of home for the terminally confused.

@WitcheryDivine "home for the terminally confused" is an excellent description for The Archers as a whole and probably includes those of us who still listen.

Caroline must be turning in her grave.

Why is Oliver not straight on the phone to head office telling them that the Great Dane is not right for the GG role? Over-familiar and inappropriate, bordering on the unprofessional.

How old is Martin Gibson? He seems too old for Helen though on paper they might well be compatible. I can’t imagine he’s really looking for a single mum with school age children though.

Actually Helen might be just what he needs! Obviously he’s a bit of a victim of uncertain writing - on the one hand generous and meticulous with Brian’s Bridge lessons (though he may just have been glad of the company), on the other, intemperate and high handed over the bell ringing marathon. It’s entirely possible that the new iteration of Mr Gibson might turn out to be a considerate partner and a caring stepfather …